The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 98: You see what I did there?

Chapter 98: You see what I did there?

Meanwhile...

"Fil, it’s me." Vincent knocked continuously on the door, waiting for Fil to open it for him. "Fil, please. Let’s talk."

When no one answered from inside, he took a step back and sighed. "Fil, I know you’re there. Please. Can you come out and talk to me?"

But alas, no one answered.

"I saw your lights inside," he pointed out, raising his voice in case she couldn’t hear him clearly. "Please. I know I was wrong and I’m reflecting on it already. Can you please just hear me out?"

Still no movement inside.

Vincent sighed deeply once more, turning his back on the door. He walked to the railing, resting his arms on it to think about it.

"Just so you know, I’m not going away," he said. "I’ll stay here all night until you come out."

He looked back at the door, waiting for it to open up. But alas, there was still no movement inside. He shook his head mildly, unwilling to back down.

"I’m not joking," he added. "I’ll really stay here until you open the door."

’Damn it.’He mentally winced, shaking his head, idling outside her apartment door. "I’m not leaving here unless you talk to me."

"Vincent?"

Vincent furrowed his brows when he heard Fil’s voice. Turning his head to the side, he saw Fil standing from the corner as if she had just arrived. His eyes went up and down, noticing her gym outfit and the small duffel bag clinging to her shoulder.

"You’re not inside?" he blurted out, looking back at the door. "Then who is inside?"

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a deep frown, obviously not pleased to see him. Fil walked toward him as he was just right outside her place. "Aren’t I clear about last time? We’re over. What are you still doing here?"

Vincent pushed himself away from the railing, facing her. "Fil, let’s talk."

"We’re already talking," she returned coldly. "And I’m asking you to leave."

"Fil."

"Leave."

"Fil." Vincent reached out to her, only for her to back away. He clasped his hands mid-air, clenching his teeth briefly before lifting his eyes to her. "Is it really that easy for you to end our relationship? Throw away the years we were together? Can’t we fix this? Talk it out?"

"It was easy for you to cross the line without thinking of the years we’ve spent together," she replied without a second hesitation. "Why, Vincent? Because you know even if you do me wrong, I’d try to fix it? That I’d listen to how you rationalize your action. I was very lenient to you for a long time and now you think of me as a pushover."

"Fil, that’s not it."

"If that isn’t it, then how can you think I’m fooling behind your back with your best friend, hmm?" she returned, not giving him enough time to recover from every line she threw at him. "I kept thinking about why were you so paranoid and afraid of the thought."

She paused, her eyes growing colder. "The only conclusion I can think of is that you’re scared... I’d do what you were doing."

"What?"

"Are you fooling behind my back, Vincent?" she confronted sternly. "Is that why you think I’m doing that as well?"

"No! Fil, I — what the hell are you saying?" he scoffed, growing defensive at the argument she randomly threw between them. He slapped his chest while saying, "I’m not cheating on you!"

Fil arched a brow, earning another scoff from him.

"Is that what you think? That I’m cheating on you, so I thought you’re doing the same?"

"Marcus and I knew each other for a long time," she rationalized. "But this is the first time you’ve acted like this, Vincent. Who is she?"

"There is no one else!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Do you swear?"

"Fil, what the hell?" Vincent raised his voice in distress. "We’ve been together for a long time. We’ve done everything any couple could do aside from crossing that line. I had always respected your boundaries and your decisions, and had been patiently waiting for the right time until you’re ready."

He took a step forward. "How can you... how can you say that after waiting for years, I’d give in to others? Our friends even make fun of me because of that. Yet, I never pressured you. Why? Because it’s you. I respect you, value you, and love you."

Fil didn’t answer immediately while she assessed his reaction.

"It’s insulting, isn’t it?" she pointed out coldly after a while. "That after everything you did, I would recklessly accuse you of something you wouldn’t do. And that I believe in this conclusion without leaving a shred of trust in you."

"Now, if you understand what I felt when you threw that groundless accusation at me, leave," she added in the same tone, her stoic expression unchanging. "I’ve indulged with you enough. So, if you don’t mind, move aside. I’m tired and feel sticky. Step aside from my door."

Vincent stared at her unforgiving countenance, throwing his hands in the air. He stepped aside while she walked toward the door beside him.

"Fil," he called once more when she stood in front of her door, staring at her back. "I’m sorry, alright?"

"There’s no excuse for what I said or did," he admitted quietly. "I crossed the line and didn’t trust you. I could’ve just asked you about it, but instead, I went crazy. I’m sorry."

Fil paused from putting her keys in, gazing down at the faint light underneath the gap of the door. She could see a shadow from the inside, standing right in front of the door.

’Jack...’she sighed deeply, knowing once she opened this door with Vincent still here, Vincent would be shocked to see the person inside. ’Knowing him, it’s not a stretch to see him standing naked just to make a point. Mistresses at this point should be hidden under the bed.’

"Go home," Fil remarked, turning around to face Vincent squarely. "There’s no need for you to be here."

"I’m not —"

"If you stay there, I can’t go in," she said, crossing her arms under her chest. "You might see my boy toy inside. That won’t be fun, and I don’t plan to reveal my darkest secret yet."

Vincent opened his mouth but didn’t question her last remarks. "You don’t have to be sarcastic about it."

"No, I’m serious." Her expression remains unchanged. "Leave."

"Are you thinking that I’d follow you inside?"

"I don’t trust you. Who knows what you’re going to do?"

"Fil."

"Go." Fil tipped her head to the exit. "Don’t make me ask you for the tenth time. I’m tired and I want some peace. Won’t you give that to me as well?"

Vincent stared at her and when he realized she wouldn’t soften up, he rocked his head. "Fine," he surrendered, turning on his heel as he dragged his feet away. But after taking six steps away, he turned around once again.

"I’m not going to stop, Fil," he declared. "I’ll win you back because you’re the only one I see in my future. Always have been and always will be."

His eyes glowed with determination before he continued his steps. Fil, on the other hand, stood in the same spot until Vincent was out of sight. Her door slowly opened from the inside, making her smile as she faced Jackson.

"You see what I did there?" she humored, giggling. "He didn’t believe me."

"Sucks for him and me?" Jackson quipped, pulling her waist with his arm and slamming the door shut with the other. Her back hit the door, watching him tilt his head and move it down to her.

She smiled brightly, dropping her duffel bag to the side as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Welcome back, Jack."

His eyelids drooped, smirking. "Welcome home would have been nicer, but I’ll take this for now," he humored, lowering his head to kiss the lips he longed throughout his trip.

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